Soccer
Ex-Premier League midfielder jailed for 20 years in China
The former Everton player confessed to charges of bribery and match-fixing as part of a sprawling criminal investigation.
Former Everton and Sheffield United midfielder Li Tie has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after admitted to charges of bribery and match-fixing. He had spent the past decade as a coach in his native China, notably leading the Chinese national team form 2019 to 2021.
In late 2022 Li was investigated by China’s Central Commission as part of a sprawling anti-corruption effort initiated by President Xi Jinping. Earlier this year Li was featured in an documentary aired by CCTV, a Chinese state broadcaster, and apologised for his offenses.
Li Tie’s crimes took place between 2015 and 2021, when he left his post as national team head coach. The 47-year-old has admitted to using his authority to select certain players and help specific teams to win competitions, receiving huge sums of money in return.
Fall from grace for Chinese soccer star
In March of this year Li Tie pleaded guilty to taking more than $16 million in bribes. Earlier this year former CFA President Chen Xuyuan was hit with a life sentence for accepting $11 million in bribes.
“I’m very sorry. I should have kept my head to the ground and followed the right path,” Li Tie said, in admitting his crimes. “There were certain things that at the time were common practices in football.”
Li Tie was a national icon as one of only seven Chinese players to have featured in the Premier League. He made 92 appearances for the Chinese national team, despite having his player career hampered by persistent injuries. Now, his reputation as one of the stars of Chinese soccer is in tatters.
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